M.L. Sparrow's Blog, page 27
July 21, 2016
Stardust
Stardust, by Neil Gaiman
Blurb:Life moves at a leisurely pace in the tiny town of Wall - named after the imposing stone barrier which separates the town from a grassy meadow. Here, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the beautiful Victoria Forester and for the coveted prize of her hand, Tristran vows to retrieve a fallen star and deliver it to his beloved. It is an oath that sends him over the ancient wall and into a world that is dangerous and strange beyond imagining...This book was so charming! It's fantasy that's magical for both adults and young adults. I actually read the book because I love the film and though the two feel so different they are both heartwarming and fun - just to clarify, the story line remains the same, yet they somehowfeelmajorly different!There were a few things that I wasn't too keen on however. One, the romance was so vague. It's suggested and then at the end they are proclaiming their love without any real build up. Two, the ending. That's where it differs from the film and I was looking forward to the 'final battle', but didn't get it in the end. It just felt very anticlimactic.All in all though, this book is a nice, easy, charming read for those who love magic and fairytales.My favourite quotes from 'Stardust':' "Personally, I would imagine that to be the sole advantage of marrying a widower," said Amelia Robinson. "That someone else would have removed the rough edges; broken him in, if you will. ..." '' ... stars, once fallen, often proved difficult in the finding.''And, too ignorant to be scare, too young to be awed, Tristran Thorn passed beyond the fields we know...... and into Faerie.'' "every lover is in his heart a madman, and in his head a minstrel." '' "It's not hard to own something. Or everything. You just have to know that it's yours, and then be willing to let it go. ..." '' "You are young, and in love," said Primus. "Every young man in his position is the most miserable young man who ever lived." '' ... this was his fight to win, and he would fight it bettie if she were not there.'' "If you ever get to be my age," said the old woman, "you will know all there is to know about regrets, and you will know that one more, here or there, will make no difference in the long run." '' "I have given my heart to another." '
Blurb:Life moves at a leisurely pace in the tiny town of Wall - named after the imposing stone barrier which separates the town from a grassy meadow. Here, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the beautiful Victoria Forester and for the coveted prize of her hand, Tristran vows to retrieve a fallen star and deliver it to his beloved. It is an oath that sends him over the ancient wall and into a world that is dangerous and strange beyond imagining...This book was so charming! It's fantasy that's magical for both adults and young adults. I actually read the book because I love the film and though the two feel so different they are both heartwarming and fun - just to clarify, the story line remains the same, yet they somehowfeelmajorly different!There were a few things that I wasn't too keen on however. One, the romance was so vague. It's suggested and then at the end they are proclaiming their love without any real build up. Two, the ending. That's where it differs from the film and I was looking forward to the 'final battle', but didn't get it in the end. It just felt very anticlimactic.All in all though, this book is a nice, easy, charming read for those who love magic and fairytales.My favourite quotes from 'Stardust':' "Personally, I would imagine that to be the sole advantage of marrying a widower," said Amelia Robinson. "That someone else would have removed the rough edges; broken him in, if you will. ..." '' ... stars, once fallen, often proved difficult in the finding.''And, too ignorant to be scare, too young to be awed, Tristran Thorn passed beyond the fields we know...... and into Faerie.'' "every lover is in his heart a madman, and in his head a minstrel." '' "It's not hard to own something. Or everything. You just have to know that it's yours, and then be willing to let it go. ..." '' "You are young, and in love," said Primus. "Every young man in his position is the most miserable young man who ever lived." '' ... this was his fight to win, and he would fight it bettie if she were not there.'' "If you ever get to be my age," said the old woman, "you will know all there is to know about regrets, and you will know that one more, here or there, will make no difference in the long run." '' "I have given my heart to another." '
July 20, 2016
On the Prowl
On the Prowl, (The Others Series, Book 6), by Christine Warren
Blurb:Most girls would throw a fit if their parents tried to set up an arranged marriage for them. It’s so outrageously old-fashioned—even for a Tiguri family, members of a fierce race of shapeshifting weretigers. But Saskia isn’t getting her claws out just yet. She’ll go through with this marriage to help unite two powerful families—and because her husband-to-be Nicolas Preda is the sexiest, hunkiest, and only man she’s ever wanted…Of course, marrying an alpha male like Nic comes with its share of danger. As leader of his Streak and head of a global corporation, Nic and his new fiancée must take their places in the jungles of Manhattan—and the local Others seem to have a strict “no pets” policy. In fact, the Council seems to think the Tiguri are at the root of all their problems, including an attempt on the life of its leader. If Nic hopes to protect his name and his mate, it’s hunt or be hunted—and he can’t do it alone. But if anyone can bring out the beast in him, it’s the sexy, savage tigress he’s sworn to love…I really enjoy this series by Christine Warren and this book was no exception. Though it's not one of my favourites, it definitely fixed my craving for good paranormal romance!Nic and Saskia's situation intrigued me and I really liked her as a character; although admittedly 'submissive', she didn't let Nic walk all over her, but I didn't really get why she had a mini freakout over what her dad told her. She already knew Nic wasn't marrying her for her, but rather for her training and breeding, so what was the big deal? Nic was hot, though infuriating at times - I can understand Saskia's reactions - and he definitely redeemed himself, turning into the perfect mate! It was also nice to see other characters like Corinne and Missy; I always love the banter when the girls get together!This book is primarily a romance, though there is a little action in it. However, unusually for Christine Warren, the action felt like an afterthought and it was all resolved very quickly at the end. Not that I mind books which are just romance, but I don't like things to be done halfheartedly. Also - and finally - for a shifter romance there was very little shifting, which disappointed me a little.I love tigers and hope we see more of the Tiguri later on in the series.My favourite quote from 'On the Prowl':'He'd been deadly frightened that if he acknowledged her presence he would somehow be obliged to take care of her, and he'd had no desire at the time to take care of anyone. He'd still been learning to take care of himself.''A woman like her - ..... - could win this kind of war in half the time and with none of the bloodshed that would likely accompany a dominant ther's attempt to accomplish the same.''We have to stick together against the idiocy of the tester one-poisened half of the world.'' "They're your friends?'"Yup. Well, Missy is. I think Graham looks at me more as an annoying but amusing accessory in his wife's wardrobe. ...." ''Since Saskia was the woman in the relationship, and therefore the one with the larger capacity for both logical thought and forgiveness, it would be up to her to broker the peace deal.''She had drawn her line in the sand, and now she would hold back the tide, if that was what it took.''All he could do was bellow at the cause of his insanity, as if raising the volume on his inane ranting would make it less ridiculous.'
Blurb:Most girls would throw a fit if their parents tried to set up an arranged marriage for them. It’s so outrageously old-fashioned—even for a Tiguri family, members of a fierce race of shapeshifting weretigers. But Saskia isn’t getting her claws out just yet. She’ll go through with this marriage to help unite two powerful families—and because her husband-to-be Nicolas Preda is the sexiest, hunkiest, and only man she’s ever wanted…Of course, marrying an alpha male like Nic comes with its share of danger. As leader of his Streak and head of a global corporation, Nic and his new fiancée must take their places in the jungles of Manhattan—and the local Others seem to have a strict “no pets” policy. In fact, the Council seems to think the Tiguri are at the root of all their problems, including an attempt on the life of its leader. If Nic hopes to protect his name and his mate, it’s hunt or be hunted—and he can’t do it alone. But if anyone can bring out the beast in him, it’s the sexy, savage tigress he’s sworn to love…I really enjoy this series by Christine Warren and this book was no exception. Though it's not one of my favourites, it definitely fixed my craving for good paranormal romance!Nic and Saskia's situation intrigued me and I really liked her as a character; although admittedly 'submissive', she didn't let Nic walk all over her, but I didn't really get why she had a mini freakout over what her dad told her. She already knew Nic wasn't marrying her for her, but rather for her training and breeding, so what was the big deal? Nic was hot, though infuriating at times - I can understand Saskia's reactions - and he definitely redeemed himself, turning into the perfect mate! It was also nice to see other characters like Corinne and Missy; I always love the banter when the girls get together!This book is primarily a romance, though there is a little action in it. However, unusually for Christine Warren, the action felt like an afterthought and it was all resolved very quickly at the end. Not that I mind books which are just romance, but I don't like things to be done halfheartedly. Also - and finally - for a shifter romance there was very little shifting, which disappointed me a little.I love tigers and hope we see more of the Tiguri later on in the series.My favourite quote from 'On the Prowl':'He'd been deadly frightened that if he acknowledged her presence he would somehow be obliged to take care of her, and he'd had no desire at the time to take care of anyone. He'd still been learning to take care of himself.''A woman like her - ..... - could win this kind of war in half the time and with none of the bloodshed that would likely accompany a dominant ther's attempt to accomplish the same.''We have to stick together against the idiocy of the tester one-poisened half of the world.'' "They're your friends?'"Yup. Well, Missy is. I think Graham looks at me more as an annoying but amusing accessory in his wife's wardrobe. ...." ''Since Saskia was the woman in the relationship, and therefore the one with the larger capacity for both logical thought and forgiveness, it would be up to her to broker the peace deal.''She had drawn her line in the sand, and now she would hold back the tide, if that was what it took.''All he could do was bellow at the cause of his insanity, as if raising the volume on his inane ranting would make it less ridiculous.'
The Guest Cat
The Guest Cat, by Takashi Hiraide
Blurb:A couple in their thirties live in a small rented cottage in a quiet part of Tokyo. They work at home as freelance writers. They no longer have very much to say to one another.One day a cat invites itself into their small kitchen. She is a beautiful creature. She leaves, but the next day comes again, and then again and again. New, small joys accompany the cat; the days have more light and colour. Life suddenly seems to have more promise for the husband and wife; they go walking together, talk and share stories of the cat and its little ways, play in the nearby Garden. But then something happens that will change everything again.Hmm... Well, I have to say I actually didn't find this book all that interesting, in fact, I found it quite boring and there was so much description that I often found myself re-reading passages because it had lost me along the way because it was so long-winded.There were some nice sentiments, but honestly I thought it was a bit over the top. I'm an animal lover myself and I do understand the attachment people have to their pets - also having been to Japan, I know how coo-coo some Japanese can be about their animals, especially cats which are seen as good luck - but I thought it went a bit over the top, especially having to select an apartment so that you could see the cats grave.However, I did like the end with the family of stray cats, I actually found that part more heartwarming than the bits with Chiba.My favourite quotes from 'The Guest Cat':'The noble minded do not thrust others aside in order to make their way in the world. But then they themselves are ultimately thrust aside by the advancing tide.''I wonder where it all comes from - this need to go to the place where the body has been laid to rest. It's the need to reconfirm how precious someone was and how irreplaceable, and the desire to reconnect with them on a different plane.''But a piece of writing, no matter how you interpret it, isn't the same thing as an abduction. The act of writing also crosses borders indiscriminately.'
Blurb:A couple in their thirties live in a small rented cottage in a quiet part of Tokyo. They work at home as freelance writers. They no longer have very much to say to one another.One day a cat invites itself into their small kitchen. She is a beautiful creature. She leaves, but the next day comes again, and then again and again. New, small joys accompany the cat; the days have more light and colour. Life suddenly seems to have more promise for the husband and wife; they go walking together, talk and share stories of the cat and its little ways, play in the nearby Garden. But then something happens that will change everything again.Hmm... Well, I have to say I actually didn't find this book all that interesting, in fact, I found it quite boring and there was so much description that I often found myself re-reading passages because it had lost me along the way because it was so long-winded.There were some nice sentiments, but honestly I thought it was a bit over the top. I'm an animal lover myself and I do understand the attachment people have to their pets - also having been to Japan, I know how coo-coo some Japanese can be about their animals, especially cats which are seen as good luck - but I thought it went a bit over the top, especially having to select an apartment so that you could see the cats grave.However, I did like the end with the family of stray cats, I actually found that part more heartwarming than the bits with Chiba.My favourite quotes from 'The Guest Cat':'The noble minded do not thrust others aside in order to make their way in the world. But then they themselves are ultimately thrust aside by the advancing tide.''I wonder where it all comes from - this need to go to the place where the body has been laid to rest. It's the need to reconfirm how precious someone was and how irreplaceable, and the desire to reconnect with them on a different plane.''But a piece of writing, no matter how you interpret it, isn't the same thing as an abduction. The act of writing also crosses borders indiscriminately.'
July 19, 2016
Dare Me
Dare Me, by Megan Abbott
Blurb:Beth and me wedged tight, jeaned legs pressed against each other. The sound of our own breathing. Before we all stopped believing a tornado, or anything, could touch us, ever.Addy Hanlon and Beth Cassidy are tough, inseparable, invincible. No pair more charismatic or sophisticated. No pair more dangerous.This is another book I had mixed feelings about. At first I found it a little confusing, but once I got into it I enjoyed the suspense and I liked trying to clue together what was going on. It was a great insight into the brutal, vindictive world of teenage girls. The pace was snappy and it was a nice easy read.However, my main point of contention were the characters. I know they weren't supposed to be likeable, but I just couldn't connect or sympathise with any of them, not even Addy, the main character, which made me feel kind of disconnected from the story and though I enjoyed it I didn't love it. Also, and I just have to say this, the term girl-body, or girl-something-or-other, was used way too many times; it began to annoy me.All in all though, a good book with a great cover! It was like a cheerleader murder-mystery, I can almost imagine it being serialised on TV!My favourite quotes from 'Dare Me':' "There's something dangerous about the boredom of teenage girls." '' "I hate how everything changes, always," she says. "But you don't." ''We don' talk about it anymore and it was a century ago, wars won and lost since then.''RiRi is drunken-texting a new boy, who seems just like the last one and may even be the last one's brother ...''She made it up inside her head and he made it real for her.'' ... you can be saved without even knowing you were in trouble.'' We're just girls and we were there, and anything could have happened to us.'' "You come at the king," Beth says, "you best not miss." ''I wanted to be part of your world, but I didn't know your world was this.''They fucked each other and he got tired of her before she got tired of him.''I ponder a third way. I imagine going inside, telling them everything, letting them sort it all out.But it's not the solider heart in me.''Tonight, show me your warrior hearts.''I will die only for you above all.'' "Cheer taught me to trust my girls to catch me when I fall," '
Blurb:Beth and me wedged tight, jeaned legs pressed against each other. The sound of our own breathing. Before we all stopped believing a tornado, or anything, could touch us, ever.Addy Hanlon and Beth Cassidy are tough, inseparable, invincible. No pair more charismatic or sophisticated. No pair more dangerous.This is another book I had mixed feelings about. At first I found it a little confusing, but once I got into it I enjoyed the suspense and I liked trying to clue together what was going on. It was a great insight into the brutal, vindictive world of teenage girls. The pace was snappy and it was a nice easy read.However, my main point of contention were the characters. I know they weren't supposed to be likeable, but I just couldn't connect or sympathise with any of them, not even Addy, the main character, which made me feel kind of disconnected from the story and though I enjoyed it I didn't love it. Also, and I just have to say this, the term girl-body, or girl-something-or-other, was used way too many times; it began to annoy me.All in all though, a good book with a great cover! It was like a cheerleader murder-mystery, I can almost imagine it being serialised on TV!My favourite quotes from 'Dare Me':' "There's something dangerous about the boredom of teenage girls." '' "I hate how everything changes, always," she says. "But you don't." ''We don' talk about it anymore and it was a century ago, wars won and lost since then.''RiRi is drunken-texting a new boy, who seems just like the last one and may even be the last one's brother ...''She made it up inside her head and he made it real for her.'' ... you can be saved without even knowing you were in trouble.'' We're just girls and we were there, and anything could have happened to us.'' "You come at the king," Beth says, "you best not miss." ''I wanted to be part of your world, but I didn't know your world was this.''They fucked each other and he got tired of her before she got tired of him.''I ponder a third way. I imagine going inside, telling them everything, letting them sort it all out.But it's not the solider heart in me.''Tonight, show me your warrior hearts.''I will die only for you above all.'' "Cheer taught me to trust my girls to catch me when I fall," '
July 18, 2016
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, Book 1), by Ransom Riggs
Blurb:A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of curious photographs.A horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.At the beginning I wasn't sure what to think of this book. I found it a little boring and slow to start. I know that the story needed to be set up, but a couple of times I contemplated stopping reading entirely. However, when Jacob finally met the children and discovered there world I was quickly hooked! I loved the world that was set up and the idea of Loops was fascinating - I look forward to learning more about the complexities of their world in the next book, which I will definitely be reading. Jacob was a good character, slightly dull at the start, but by the end of the book I actually felt quite attached to him! I was also inrigued by the other children and their abilities and look forward to learning more about them.Aside from the actually story, I enjoyed the pictures that are used throughout, especially since they are real, antic photos, which just makes them more interesting!To me, it felt like the sole purpose of this book was to introduce everything, which is necessary and not really a bad thing, but I just felt that beyond that there was really nothing much going on except setting up the 'big adventure' which will undoubtadly happen in the next book. Despite this, I did enjoy this story for the most part and it definitely did the job of making me want to read the sequel...My favourite quotes from 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children':'I had just come to accept that my life would be ordinary when extraordinary things began to happen.''I think they worried that my grandfather would infect me with some incurable dreaminess from which I'd never recover''We cling to our fairy tales until the price of believing them becomes too high,''... it's easy to say you don't care about money when you have plenty of it.'' "When someone won't let you in, eventually you stop knocking." ''How do you say I'm sorry you father didn't love you enough to your own dad?''Yeah, he was a psychobabble-spewing prick. But that didn't make him wrong.''It was more like the world was going crazy, not me.''... this place wasn't just a heaven but a kind of prison, too. It was just so hypnotizingly pleasant that it might take a person years to notice.''I suppose duty meant more to him than I did.'' "They may love you," she whispered, "but they'll never understand." ''... what an unchallenging life it would be if we always got things right on the first go.''If all the suns but ours collapsed tonight, how many lifetimes would it take us to realize that we were alone?''Sometimes it's better not to look back.''I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was.''Their memory was something tangible and heavy, and I would carry it with me.'
Blurb:A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of curious photographs.A horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.At the beginning I wasn't sure what to think of this book. I found it a little boring and slow to start. I know that the story needed to be set up, but a couple of times I contemplated stopping reading entirely. However, when Jacob finally met the children and discovered there world I was quickly hooked! I loved the world that was set up and the idea of Loops was fascinating - I look forward to learning more about the complexities of their world in the next book, which I will definitely be reading. Jacob was a good character, slightly dull at the start, but by the end of the book I actually felt quite attached to him! I was also inrigued by the other children and their abilities and look forward to learning more about them.Aside from the actually story, I enjoyed the pictures that are used throughout, especially since they are real, antic photos, which just makes them more interesting!To me, it felt like the sole purpose of this book was to introduce everything, which is necessary and not really a bad thing, but I just felt that beyond that there was really nothing much going on except setting up the 'big adventure' which will undoubtadly happen in the next book. Despite this, I did enjoy this story for the most part and it definitely did the job of making me want to read the sequel...My favourite quotes from 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children':'I had just come to accept that my life would be ordinary when extraordinary things began to happen.''I think they worried that my grandfather would infect me with some incurable dreaminess from which I'd never recover''We cling to our fairy tales until the price of believing them becomes too high,''... it's easy to say you don't care about money when you have plenty of it.'' "When someone won't let you in, eventually you stop knocking." ''How do you say I'm sorry you father didn't love you enough to your own dad?''Yeah, he was a psychobabble-spewing prick. But that didn't make him wrong.''It was more like the world was going crazy, not me.''... this place wasn't just a heaven but a kind of prison, too. It was just so hypnotizingly pleasant that it might take a person years to notice.''I suppose duty meant more to him than I did.'' "They may love you," she whispered, "but they'll never understand." ''... what an unchallenging life it would be if we always got things right on the first go.''If all the suns but ours collapsed tonight, how many lifetimes would it take us to realize that we were alone?''Sometimes it's better not to look back.''I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was.''Their memory was something tangible and heavy, and I would carry it with me.'
July 3, 2016
This is how I feel sometimes!
I usually consider shark diving... without the cage... 
July 2, 2016
A Doll's House
A Doll's House, by Henrik Ibsen Blurb: One of the best-known, most frequently performed of modern plays, displaying Ibsen's genius for realistic prose drama. A classic expression of women's rights, the play builds to a climax in which the central character, Nora, rejects a smothering marriage and life in "a doll's house." I just want to start off by saying that I don't usually read plays - the lack of description always bugs me and I've yet to find one that totally captured my attention. I
June 30, 2016
S.K. Gregory!
For those of you who haven't heard of S.K. Gregory and her Inner Daemon books, here's a quick heads up! Personally, I think this series is great with a kick-ass female lead and lots of action. Here are the blurbs for the first two books in the series: Daemon Persuasion - When Mackenzie Murphy goes looking for her father she finds herself caught in the middle of a demon war between three rival families. Still trying to master her own demon abilities, who can she trust to help her? The
Fight Club
Fight Club, by Chuck Palahniuk Blurb:Every weekend, in basements and parking lots across the country, young men with good white-collar jobs and absent fathers take off their shoes and shirts and fight each other barehanded for as long as they have to. Then they go back to those jobs with blackened eyes and loosened teeth and the sense that they can handle anything. Fight Club is the invention of Tyler Durden, projectionist, waiter and dark, anarchic genius. And it's only the beginning of his
June 23, 2016
Player Cover Reveal
Here is the cover for Player! It is also available to Pre-Order today on Amazon - to jump to their page just click on the Pre-Order poster! Here's the blurb:Let the game begin… After a tragic accident which leaves her tormented by guilt, Chloe Newman accepts a scholarship to study a St. Joseph’s University. Traveling from England to Texas, the last thing she expects is to meet the schools charming quarterback on her first night. However, Parker Mitchell is a player both on and off the field. 
